System for a bicycle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle system includes controller devices. Each controller device includes at least one respective input element configured to receive input from a user. The system includes operation-enacting devices. Each operation-enacting device is configured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle. The system includes a network coordinator device configured to (i) establish a wireless network for communications between the network coordinator device, the controller devices, and the operation-enacting devices, and (ii) reset the controller devices and operation-enacting device before pairing the controller devices and operation-enacting devices to the wireless network.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/268,026, filed Feb. 5, 2019, the contents of which are hereinincorporated in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

A bicycle includes various components that allow a user to control theoperation of the bicycle. For instance, the bicycle may include adrivetrain where one or more gears can be selectably engaged with adrive chain to modify pedaling cadence and resistance. Correspondingly,the bicycle may include controller devices that receive input from theuser to cause the drive chain to engage different gears.

SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present disclosure, embodiments providesystems, devices and methods for controlling components on a bicycle.According to an example embodiment, a system for a bicycle includes aplurality of controller devices, wherein each controller device includesat least one respective input element configured to receive input from auser and transmits a signal indicating input received by the at leastone respective input element. The system includes a plurality ofoperation-enacting devices, wherein each operation-enacting device isconfigured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle inresponse to receiving the signal transmitted from the controller device.The system includes a network coordinator device configured to (i)establish a pairing session to pair the network coordinator, thecontroller devices and the operation-enacting devices to a wirelessnetwork that enables communications between the network coordinatordevice, the controller devices, and the operation-enacting devices, and(ii) reset the controller devices and operation-enacting device beforepairing the controller devices and operation-enacting devices to thewireless network.

According to another example embodiment, a network coordinator devicefor a bicycle includes a first communication interface configured tocommunicate wirelessly with a plurality of controller devices and aplurality of operation-enacting devices. Each controller device includesat least one respective input element configured to receive input from auser and transmit a signal indicating input received by the at least onerespective input element, and each operation-enacting device isconfigured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle inresponse to receiving the signal transmitted from the controller device.The network coordinator device includes one or more processorsconfigured to execute program instructions stored on computer-readablemedia, which when executed cause the one or more processors to: (i)establish, via the first communication interface, a pairing session thatallows the controller devices and the operation-enacting devices to bepaired to a wireless network, and (ii) reset the controller devices andoperation-enacting device before pairing the controller devices andoperation-enacting devices to the wireless network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a right-side view of an example road bicycle thatcan implement aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of a handlebar assembly of theexample road bicycle shown in FIG. 1A and other components coupled tothe handlebar assembly.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a front derailleur of the exampleroad bicycle shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D illustrates a side view of a rear derailleur of the example roadbicycle shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E illustrates a side view of a right controller device of theexample road bicycle shown in FIG. 1A coupled to a right drop bar.

FIG. 2A illustrates a right-side view of an example mountain bicyclethat can implement aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic diagram of a handlebar assembly of theexample mountain bicycle shown in FIG. 2A and other components coupledto the handlebar assembly.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a seat post assembly, with a saddleinstalled thereon, of the example mountain bicycle shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example system for controlling differentcombinations of operation-enacting devices on a bicycle, according toaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example scenario where operation-enacting devicesrespond to signals from controller devices according to a first set ofassignments, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example scenario where operation-enacting devicesrespond to signals from controller devices according to a second set ofassignments, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example scenario where operation-enacting devicesrespond to signals from controller devices according to a third set ofassignments, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment for a method ofestablishing a wireless network between controller devices andoperation-enacting devices of a bicycle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment for a method of methodfor controlling operation-enacting devices of a bicycle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment for a method ofmodifying the default or current set of assignments of a bicycle.

Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription, wherein similar or identical structures have similarreference numerals. Various embodiments of the invention will bedescribed herein with reference to the drawings. It will be understoodthat the drawings and the description set out herein are provided forillustration only and do not limit the invention as defined by theclaims appended hereto and any and all their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present disclosure, embodiments providesystems, devices and methods for controlling components on a bicycle.The embodiments employ a plurality of controller devices that receiveinput from a user to control operation-enacting devices on the bicycle.Operation-enacting devices generally include at least one movablecomponent configured to modify an operative state of the bicycle. Thecontroller devices and the operation-enacting devices are paired to awireless network. When a particular controller device receives an inputfrom the user, the particular controller device sends a correspondingsignal to the operation-enacting devices paired to the network.Embodiments employ a set of assignments to determine which, if any, ofthe operation-enacting devices responds to the signal from theparticular controller device. Advantageously, the set of assignments canbe modified by the user according to the user's preferences. In otherwords, the embodiments provide a reconfigurable control system for thecomponents of the bicycle.

Although the ability to reconfigure the control system may be adesirable feature, there may be concern over whether unknown devices canaccess and make unwanted modifications to the control system over thewireless network. The embodiments, however, can secure the controlsystem against such access by unknown devices. According to oneapproach, the embodiments initiate a pairing session that allows theuser to select controller devices and operation-enacting devices for thewireless network. Once the pairing session is complete, the roster ofdevices paired to the network is fixed and unchangeable, even though theassignments between the controller devices and the operation-enactingdevices already on the network can still be changed by the user. Assuch, unknown devices cannot join the wireless network and interferewith the control system. According to another approach, the embodimentsmay not allow duplicate device types to be paired to the wirelessnetwork, so that an unknown device cannot imitate another device typethat has already been selected for pairing. According to yet anotherapproach, the embodiments may only permit each operation enacted by anoperation-enacting device to occur in response to the signals from asingle assigned controller device or a single assigned particularcombination of controller devices, thereby reducing the likelihood of anunwanted response by an operation-enacting device to a signal from anunknown device. Moreover, the embodiments may employ a proprietarynetwork protocol to enhance security by limiting access to the wirelessnetwork to devices that can operate under the protocol.

FIG. 1A illustrates a right side view of an example road bicycle 100.The bicycle 100 includes a frame 102, a front wheel 104, a rear wheel106, and a drivetrain 108. The front wheel 104 and the rear wheel 106are rotatably coupled to the frame 102. The bicycle includes a frontbrake 110 for braking the front wheel 104 and a rear brake 112 forbraking the rear wheel 106. To allow a user to steer the bicycle 100,the bicycle 100 includes a handlebar assembly 114 attached to the frame102.

FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic diagram depicting the handlebar assembly114 and other components coupled to the handlebar assembly 114. As shownin FIGS. 1A and/or 1B, the handlebar assembly 114 includes a right dropbar 114 a and a left drop bar 114 b to accommodate the left and righthands of the user, respectively. Additionally, the bicycle 100 includesa first or right controller device 120 coupled to the right drop bar 114a. The first controller device 120 includes a first or right brake lever116 to allow the user to operate the rear brake 112. Correspondingly,the bicycle 100 includes a second or left controller device 122 coupledto the left drop bar 114 b. The second controller device 122 includes asecond or left brake lever 118 to allow the user to operate the frontbrake 110.

As shown in FIG. 1A, 1C and 1D, the drivetrain 108 includes a drivechain 108 a, a front crank 108 b, front chainrings 108 c, a front gearchanger such as an electromechanical front derailleur 108 d, rearsprockets 108 e, and a rear gear changer such as an electromechanicalrear derailleur 108 f. The front chainrings 108 c are coupled to thefront crank 108 b. The diameters and number of teeth on the frontsprockets 108 c may differ from each other. The rear sprockets 108 e arecoaxially mounted to the rear wheel 106. The diameters and the numbersof teeth on the rear sprockets 108 e may gradually decrease from left toright. Alternatively, the diameters and the numbers of teeth on the rearsprockets 108 e may gradually decrease from right to left. The chain 108a engages a selected chainring 108 c and a selected sprocket 108 e.

To drive the bicycle 100, the user can pedal to rotate the front crank108 b relative to the frame 102. Rotation of the front crank 108 bcauses the selected chainring 108 c to rotate and the chain 108 a tomove through the drivetrain 108. Movement of the chain 108 a causescorresponding rotation of the selected sprocket 108 e and thus the rearwheel 106. Rotation of the rear wheel 106 against the ground may propelthe bicycle 100 in a forward direction. The front and/or forwardorientation and movement of the bicycle 10 is indicated by the directionof arrow “A.” Further, other terms relating to direction may be usedherein. For example, the “inboard” and “outboard,” and “left” and“right” may be used. The terms “right” and “left,” and “inboard” and“outboard” describe a position between parts or items and a verticalplane substantially bisecting the bicycle or a direction toward or awayfrom the vertical plane substantially bisecting the bicycle. Moreover,terms such as “front” and “rear” referred to bicycle mechanismsconventionally mounted to the bicycle and with the bicycle oriented inthe forward direction.

The selected chainring 108 c and the selected sprocket 108 e, incombination, determine a gear ratio for driving the bicycle 100.Operation of the front derailleur 108 d allows the user to change theselected chainring 108 c engaged by the chain 108 a. In particular, thefront derailleur 108 d can be actuated to shift the chain 108 a left orright from one chainring 108 c to the other. The front derailleur 108 dis shown as a wireless electrically-actuated front derailleur mounted tothe frame 102. The front derailleur 108 d may include a base member 108g mounted to the bicycle frame 102 and a chain guide assembly 108 h orcage movably connected to the base member 108 g by a front linkage 108 iin the form of a parallelogram. A front power supply 108 j, in thisembodiment a removable battery, may be mounted on the front derailleur108 d. The front power supply 108 j may supply power to a front motorunit 108 k. The front motor unit 108 k is configured to supply torque tothe components of the front derailleur 108 d to move the chain guideassembly 108 h relative to the front base member 108 g such that thefront derailleur 108 d may shift the chain 108 a between the frontsprockets 108 c.

Meanwhile, operation of the rear derailleur 108 f allows the user tochange the selected sprocket 108 e engaged by the chain 108 a. Inparticular, the rear derailleur 108 f can be actuated to shift the chain108 a left or right from one sprocket 108 e to another. The rearderailleur 108 f is shown as a wireless electrically-actuated rearderailleur mounted to the frame 102. The rear derailleur may include abase member 108 l (e.g., a b-knuckle) that is mounted to the bicycleframe 102. A linkage 108 m may include two links 108 n that arepivotally connected to the base member 108 l. A movable member 108 o(e.g., a p-knuckle) may be connected to the linkage 108 m. A chain guideassembly 108 q or cage may be configured to engage and maintain tensionin the chain 108 a and may be pivotally connected to a part of themovable member 108 o.

A motor unit 108 r and rear power supply 108 s, in this embodiment aremovable battery, are disposed on the rear derailleur 108 f. Thebattery 108 s supplies power to the motor unit 108 r. In thisembodiment, the motor unit 108 r is disposed in the movable member 108o. Alternatively, the motor unit 108 r may be disposed in one of thelinks 108 n or in the base member 108 l. The motor unit 108 r mayinclude a motor and a gear transmission. The motor unit 108 r may becoupled with the linkage 108 m to laterally move the cage 108 q and thusshift the chain 108 a among the rear sprockets 108 e.

Looking to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1E, to allow the user to operate the frontderailleur 108 d or the rear derailleur 108 f, the first and secondcontroller devices 120, 122 include first and second electrical switches120 c, 122 c, that are actuated by first and second input elements, inthis embodiment first and second shift levers 120 a, 122 a,respectively. The first shift lever 120 a is configured to receive aright input from the right hand of the user and actuate the firstelectrical switch 120 c. The second shift lever 122 a configured toreceive a left input from the left hand of the user and actuate thesecond electrical switch 122 c. The first shift lever 120 a may bepositioned behind to the first brake lever 116, while the second shiftlever 122 a may be positioned behind to the second brake lever 118.

To provide the right input to the first shift lever 120 a, the user canmanually apply pressure on the right side of the first shift lever 120a. In response, the first shift lever 120 a may pivot about a firstshift lever axis L1 from an initial rest position to a shift actuationposition. The first shift lever 120 a may be biased with a spring or thelike so that when the manual pressure is no longer applied by the user,the first shift lever 120 a returns to the initial rest position.Similarly, to provide the left input to the second shift lever 122 a,the user can manually apply pressure on the left side of the secondshift lever 122 a. In response, the second shift lever 122 a may pivotabout a second shift lever axis L2 (not shown) from an initial restposition to a shift actuation position. The second shift lever 122 a maybe biased with a spring or the like so that when the manual pressure isno longer applied by the user, the second shift lever 122 a returns tothe left starting position.

The first and second controller devices 120, 122 include first andsecond controller processors 120 e, 122 e, which electronically processthe manual input received by the first shift lever 120 a and the secondshift lever 122 a, respectively. In particular, the right input triggersa first controller communication interface 120 d to wirelessly send afirst shift signal 120 b, and left input triggers a second controllercommunication interface 122 d to wirelessly send a second shift signal122 b. Correspondingly, the front derailleur 108 d and the rearderailleur 108 f include communication interfaces and processors thatare configured to receive and electronically process the first shiftsignal 120 b and/or the second shift signal 122 b to determine adesignated response.

In a first scenario, the user provides the right input via the firstshift lever 120 a but does not provide the left input via the secondshift lever 122 a. In response, the first controller device 120 sendsthe first shift signal 120 b, while the left controller device 122 sendsno signal. When the rear derailleur 108 f receives the first shiftsignal 120 b with no second shift signal 122 b, the rear derailleur 108f shifts the chain 108 a to engage the next smaller sprocket 108 e tothe right or performs a downshift. Meanwhile, when the front derailleur108 d receives the first shift signal 120 b with no second shift signal122 b, the front derailleur 108 d remains idle.

In a second scenario, the user provides the left input via the secondshift lever 122 a but does not provide the right input via the rightshift lever 120 a. In response, the second controller device 122 sendsthe second shift signal 122 b, while the first controller device 120sends no signal. When the rear derailleur 108 f receives the secondshift signal 122 b with no first shift signal 120 b, the rear derailleur108 f shifts the chain 108 a to engage the next larger sprocket 108 e tothe left or performs a upshift. Meanwhile, when the front derailleur 108d receives the second shift signal 122 b with no second shift signal 120b, the front derailleur 108 d remains idle.

In a third scenario, the user simultaneously provides the right inputvia the first shift lever 120 a and the left input via the second shiftlever 122 a. In response, the first controller device 120 sends thefirst shift signal 120 b, and the second controller device 122 sends thesecond shift signal 122 b. When the rear derailleur 108 f receives thefirst shift signal 120 b and the second shift signal 122 bsimultaneously or within a certain time period, the rear derailleur 108f remains idle. Meanwhile, when the front derailleur 108 d receives thefirst shift signal 120 b and the second shift signal 122 bsimultaneously or within a certain time period, the front derailleur 108d shifts the chain 108 a left or right to engage a different chainring108 c. In some cases, the drivetrain 108 includes only two chainrings108 c, so the simultaneous right input and left input causes the chain108 a to alternate between the two chainrings 108 c.

In some embodiments, the user can manually apply pressure to the firstshift lever 120 a and/or the second shift lever 122 a for varyingamounts of time. For instance, without applying pressure to the secondshift lever 122 a, the user may apply continuous pressure to keep thefirst shift lever 120 a in the left final position for a period thatexceeds a threshold amount of time, e.g., approximately one second. Inresponse, the first controller device 120 sends the first shift signal120 b for a corresponding amount of time, i.e., until the user releasesthe pressure on the first shift lever 120 a. When the rear derailleur108 f receives the first shift signal 120 b, the rear derailleur 108 fdetermines that the first shift signal 120 b exceeds a threshold amountof time. In response, rather than merely shifting the chain 108 a toengage the next sprocket 108 e to the right, the rear derailleur 108 fshifts the chain 108 a repeatedly over multiple sprockets 108 e to theright until the user releases the pressure on the first shift lever 120a and the first shift signal 120 b ceases, or until the chain 108 areaches the right-most sprocket 108 e. Alternatively, to shift the chain108 a repeatedly over multiple sprockets 108 e to the left, the user mayapply continuous pressure to the left shift lever 122 a for a periodthat exceeds the threshold amount of time.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-B, the first controller device 120 and the secondcontroller device 122 employ the first shift lever 120 a and the secondshift lever 122 a as respective input elements to generate correspondingwireless shift signals 120 b, 122 b to actuate the front derailleur 108d and the rear derailleur 108 f. Alternative embodiments, however, mayinclude controller devices with different configurations to control afront derailleur and/or a rear derailleur. For instance, a bicycle mayinclude aerobars with pushbuttons instead of drop bars with shiftlevers, where the pushbuttons act as input elements that can be pressedby the user to generate wireless signals which can be received andprocessed by the front derailleur and the rear derailleur. Also, whilesome controller devices may be coupled to handlebar assemblies, othercontroller devices may be coupled to other areas of a bicycle, such aslocations throughout the frame. Furthermore, other types of controllerdevices are contemplated. For instance, a unified shifter device may beemployed, where the user can press one or more pushbuttons on a mountedbox to send signals that control the front derailleur and/or the rearderailleur. Alternatively, a pedal sensor may be employed to receiveinput from the user via the user's pedaling action and the frontderailleur and/or the rear derailleur may respond to a signal from thepedal sensor, e.g., select gears to maintain a desired cadence or pedalresistance.

While the example bicycle 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-B is a road bicycle,aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented with bicycles ofany type. For instance, FIG. 2A illustrates a right side view of anexample mountain bicycle 200. The bicycle 200 includes a frame 202, afront wheel 204, a rear wheel 206, a drivetrain 208, front disk brakes210, and rear disk brakes 212. The drivetrain 208 includes a chain 208a, a front crank 208 b, a front chainring 208 c, rear sprockets 208 e,and a rear derailleur 208 f, which operate in a manner similar to thecorresponding components of the drivetrain 108 above.

In contrast to the bicycle 100, the bicycle 200 includes otheroperating-enacting devices such as a height-adjustable seat postassembly 226 and front and rear suspension systems 230, 232. In FIGS. 2Aand 2C, the seat post assembly in shown as a wireless,electrically-actuated seat post assembly 226 that allows the position ofa seat 228 to be dynamically adjusted. For instance, the adjustable seatpost 226 may include an operable valve (not shown) that allows the seat228 to be dropped to a lower height during a ride to change the positionof the user relative to the frame 202 and achieve better handling. Theseat post assembly 226 includes a first or lower tube 226 a and a secondor upper tube 226 b. The two tubes 226 a, 226 b are movable relative toeach other to establish a height of the seat 228 relative to the frame202. A head 226 c is fixed to a top of the second tube 226 b. A seatpost motor unit 226 d is mounted to the head 226 c and a power supply226 e, in this embodiment a removable battery, is attached to the motorunit 226 d. The motor unit 226 d may include a motor and a geartransmission. The seat post power supply 226 e may supply power to theseat post motor unit 226 d. The seat post motor unit 226 d is configuredto supply torque to the components of the seat post assembly 226 to openand close the operable valve.

The front suspension system is shown as a wireless,electrically-actuated front suspension system 230 that allows thesuspension characteristics at the front wheel 204 to be dynamicallyadjusted. Furthermore, the rear suspension system is shown as awireless, electrically-actuated rear suspension system 232 that allowsthe suspension characteristics at the rear wheel 206 to be dynamicallyadjusted. The front and rear suspension systems 230, 232 may furtherinclude power supplies such as batteries that supply power to front andrear suspension motor units, respectively. The motor units may beconfigured to supply torque to the components of the suspension systemsto open and close one or more values to change various suspensioncharacteristics.

Looking to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bicycle 200 includes a first or rightcontroller device 220 and a second or left controller device 222. Thefirst and second controller device includes first and second electricalswitches 220 c, 222 c that are actuated by first and second inputelements, in this embodiment, first and second shift levers 220 a, 222a, respectively. The handlebar assembly 214 includes a flat bar or ariser bar instead of drop bars. As such, the first controller device 220is coupled to a right side of the flat or riser bar, and the secondcontroller device 222 is coupled to a left side of the flat or riserbar. Additionally, the bicycle 200 may include a seat post controllerdevice 234 and front and rear suspension controller devices 236, 238coupled to the handlebar assembly 214.

The user can operate the first shift lever 220 a and/or the second shiftlever 222 a as described above to generate a first shift signal 220 band/or a second shift signal 222 b, respectively. Similar to the bicycle100, the first shift signal 220 b and/or the second shift signal 222 bcan be employed to control the rear derailleur 208 f. To allow the userto adjust the height of the seat post assembly 226, the seat postcontroller device 234 includes a seat post electrical switch 234 c thatis actuated by a seat post input element 234 c such as a lever orbutton.

To allow the user to adjust the characteristics of the front and rearsuspension systems 230, 232, the front and rear suspension controllerdevices 236, 238 include front and rear suspension electrical switches236 c, 238 c that are actuated by suspension input elements 236 a, 238 asuch as levers or buttons. Alternatively, the adjustable seat postassembly 226, the adjustable front suspension system 230, and theadjustable rear suspension system 232 may also be configured to receivethe first shift signal 220 b and/or the second shift signal 222 b, sothat these devices can also be controlled by operation of the firstshift lever 220 a and/or the second shift lever 222 a.

The seat post and front and rear suspension controller devices 234, 236,238 include processors 234 e, 236 e 238 e, respectively, whichelectronically process the manual input received by the seat post andfront and rear suspension input elements 234 a, 236 a, 238 a,respectively. The seat post input triggers a seat post controllercommunication interface 234 d to wirelessly send a seat post signal 234b. The front and rear suspension inputs trigger front and rearcontroller communication interfaces 236 d, 238 d to wirelessly sendfront and rear suspension signals 236 b, 238 b. Correspondingly, theseat post assembly 226 includes a communication interface and aprocessor that is configured to receive and electrically process theseat post signal 234 b to determine a designated response. The front andrear suspensions include communication interfaces and processors thatare configured to receive and electronically process the front and rearsuspension signals, respectively, to determine a designated response.

FIGS. 1A-E and 2A-C illustrate how various controller devices can beemployed to wirelessly communicate control signals to differentcombinations of operation-enacting devices. The signals from thecontroller devices may be communicated wirelessly using any technique,protocol, or standard. For instance, Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (“IEEE”) 802.11 standards, IEEE 802.15.1 orBLUETOOTH® standards, and/or ANT™ or ANT+™ standards may be used. Insome embodiments, however, control signals may be communicatedwirelessly over a proprietary protocol, such as one that operates on topof the physical layer of the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol.Advantageously, the use of a proprietary protocol can enhance securityby limiting access to the wireless network to devices specificallyconfigured to communicate under the proprietary protocol. This maythereby reduce the likelihood of unwanted interference from otherwireless devices. The bicycle 100 includes a network coordinator device124 that may be configured to establish and manage the wirelesscommunications between the various devices as described in furtherdetail below. Similarly, the bicycle 200 includes a network coordinatordevice 224. Alternatively, one of the controller devices or theoperation-enacting devices on the bicycle may be the networkcoordinator.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example system 300 for controlling differentcombinations of operation-enacting devices on a bicycle. The system 300includes a plurality of controller devices 302. Each controller device302 includes at least one respective input element 302 a configured toreceive input from a user. For instance, as described above, thecontroller devices 302 may include a right controller device and a leftcontroller device coupled to a handlebar assembly, where respectiveshifter levers act as input elements 302 a. In general, input elements302 a may include any variety of shifter, pushbutton, clicker, switch,other toggled device, sensor (e.g., peddling sensor, etc.), or the like.A single controller device 302 may also include more than one inputelement 302 a, (e.g., two shifter levers, a plurality of pushbuttons,etc.).

The system 300 also includes a plurality of operation-enacting devices304, where each operation-enacting device 304 is configured to enact atleast one respective operation on the bicycle. For instance, theoperation-enacting devices 304 may include a front derailleur, a rearderailleur, a height-adjustable seat post assembly, a front suspensionsystem, and/or a rear suspension system as described above. Eachoperation-enacting device 304 may include at least one movable component311 configured to modify an operative state of the bicycle. In somecases, an operation-enacting device 304 may act on more than onecomponent of the bicycle in a single operation. In other cases, a singleoperation may include more than one act on one or more components of thebicycle. In yet other cases, the operation may include a physical actionand a wireless action, where the wireless action sends wireless signalsto cause further action by other cooperative device(s).

The system 300 also includes a network coordinator device 306. Thenetwork coordinator device 306 includes a first communication interface306 a configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller devices302 and the operation-enacting devices 304. Using the firstcommunication interface 306 a, the network coordinator device 306 canestablish a wireless network 308 that enables communications between thenetwork coordinator device 306, the controller devices 302, and theoperation-enacting devices 304. Correspondingly, each controller device302 includes a communication interface 302 c and each operation-enactingdevice 304 includes a communication interface 304 a for communicatingwith other devices, i.e., receiving and transmitting data/signals, onthe wireless network 308. Although the network coordinator device 306may appear in FIG. 3 as a separate device, the features of a networkcoordinator device 306 in alternative embodiments may be provided by oneor more of the other controller devices 302 and/or operation-enactingdevices 304 such as a rear derailleur.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for establishing a wireless network betweena network coordinator device, controller devices and operation-enactingdevices and establishing a set of default assignments that determine howthe operating-enacting devices enact the operations in response to thesignals received from the controller devices. The acts of the methodpresented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiment, themethod may be accomplished with one or more additional acts notdescribed, and/or without one or more of the acts discussed.Additionally, the order in which the acts of the method are illustratedin FIG. 5 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, the method may be implemented in one or moreprocessing device (e.g. digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog-circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices include one or more devices executing some or all theacts of the method in response to instructions stored electronically onan electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devicesconfigured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to bespecifically designed for execution of one or more of the acts of themethod.

The network coordinator device 306 is configured to initiate a newpairing session to pair the controller devices 302, and theoperation-enacting devices 304 to the wireless network 308. In act 502,the user selects the network coordinator device 306 from among thecontroller devices 302 and operation-enacting devices 304 by operating apairing input element 306 c such as a pushbutton, switch, or the likethat prompts the selected network coordinator device 306 to initiate anew pairing session. While in the pairing mode, in act 504, the networkcoordinator device 306 scans for pairing signals from other devices.When the new pairing session is active, the user can selectively pair acontroller device 302 or an operation-enacting device 304 to thewireless network 308 by operating a corresponding pairing input element302 d, 304 b such as a pushbutton, switch, or the like on the givendevice to be placed into pairing mode. While in pairing mode, in act506, the selected device transmits a pairing signal to the networkcoordinator device 306 in response to operation of the pairing inputelement 302 d, 304 b of the selected device. In act 508, the pairingsignal allows the network coordinator device 306 to recognize the givendevice and permit the given device to join the wireless network 308. Ifa proprietary network protocol is employed for the wireless network 308,only devices configured to communicate according to the proprietarynetwork protocol can be recognized by the network coordinator device 306and paired.

In some embodiments, in act 506, the pairing signal from a given deviceprovides a respective device type identification, and the networkcoordinator device 306 only pairs devices having different respectivedevice type identifications in act 510. For instance, the pairing signalmay identify a given device to be a rear derailleur. By limiting thepairings to devices with different respective device typeidentifications, the system 300 will not include more than one rearderailleur. As such, an unknown device cannot imitate another devicetype that has already been selected for pairing.

In act 512, the user can manually end the pairing session, e.g., byoperating the pairing input element 306 c on the network coordinatordevice 306. Alternatively, the network coordinator device 306 mayautomatically end the pairing session after a set time period haselapsed.

In act 514, a roster 310 is defined by the controller devices 302 andthe operation-enacting devices 304 that have been paired to the wirelessnetwork 308 at the end of the pairing session. To enhance the integrityof the system 300, no other devices can be paired to the wirelessnetwork 308 after the pairing session has ended. By fixing the roster310, the system 300 only includes the devices 302, 304 selected by theuser. This blocks unauthorized devices from joining the wireless network308 and maliciously or accidentally interfering with the operation ofthe devices 302, 304 actually selected by the user.

In act 516, when the pairing session ends, the network coordinatordevice 306 is configured to transmit, to the operation-enacting devices304, the roster 310 identifying the controller devices 302 and theoperation-enacting devices 304 paired to the wireless network 308. Inact 518, the operation-enacting devices 304 are configured to determine,based on the roster 310 received from the network coordinator device306, how to enact operations in response to the signals 302 b receivedfrom the controller devices 302.

If desired, a new pairing session can be initiated with the networkcoordinator device 306 to reset the roster 310 and to pair a differentset of devices 302, 304. Upon the end of the new pairing session, thisdifferent set of devices defines a new roster 310. The new pairingsession unpairs and resets all devices that may have been added to thewireless network 308 in a previous pairing session. In general, paireddevices 302, 304 cannot be removed from the roster 310 and new devicescannot be added to the roster 310 until a new pairing session isinitiated. A device paired to the wireless network 308 can be pairedinto another wireless network (e.g., on another bicycle system), butthat device cannot rejoin the prior wireless network 308 because it isreset when paired to the other wireless network.

The controller devices 302 are configured to transmit, to theoperation-enacting devices 304, signals 302 b indicating input receivedby the input elements 302 a of the controller devices 302. For instance,the first controller device 120 and the second controller device 122 maywirelessly transmit a first shift signal 120 b and a second shift signal120 a as described above to indicate input received by the first shiftlever 120 a and the second shift lever 122 a, respectively.

The operation-enacting devices 304 are configured to process a defaultset of assignments 312 based on the roster 310 to determine how theoperation-enacting devices 304 enact the operations responsive to thesignals 302 b. The default set of assignments 312 can be transmitted tothe each operation-enacting device 304 by the network coordinator device306, and/or stored locally on each operation-enacting device 304.

For example, after a pairing session is completed, the roster 310 mayinclude a right controller device with a right shift lever, a leftcontroller device with a left shift lever, a front derailleur, and arear derailleur. The default set of assignments 312 controlling theoperation of the operation-enacting devices 304 is determined accordingto the particular set of devices in the roster 310. For instance, thedefault set of assignments 312 may provide that with the example roster310 above: (i) the rear derailleur shifts the chain to a sprocket on theleft in response to signals from the left controller device (with nosignals from the right controller device); (ii) the rear derailleurshifts the chain to a sprocket on the right in response to signals fromthe right controller device (with no signals from the left controllerdevice); and (iii) the front derailleur shifts the chain to an alternatechainring in response to simultaneous signals from the right controllerdevice and the left controller device. If the roster 310 includes adifferent set of devices, the default set of assignments 312 may bedifferent. For example, if the roster 310 includes a height-adjustableseat post assembly and does not include a front derailleur, the seatpost assembly lowers the seat in response to the simultaneous signalsfrom the right and left controller devices.

A paired device is considered to remain in the wireless network 308 andthe roster 310 does not change even if the paired device becomesinactive or unavailable (e.g., if it loses power or is re-paired toanother wireless network).

Each operation enacted by the corresponding operation-enacting device304 occurs only in response to the signals 302 b from a single assignedcontroller device 302 or a single assigned combination of controllerdevices 302 as described below. For instance, an operation may involveshifting the chain to a sprocket on the left or inboard with the rearderailleur and such operation only occurs in response to signals fromthe left controller device. Advantageously, this reduces the likelihoodof an unwanted response by an operation-enacting device 304 to a signalfrom an unknown device.

When a combination of more than one controller device is employed toproduce simultaneous signals, e.g., simultaneous signals from the rightcontroller device and the left controller device, the combination ofcontroller devices may be considered to be a single virtual controllerdevice. Thus, an operation may involve the front derailleur shifting thechain to an alternate chainring, and such operation only occurs inresponse to signals from the single virtual controller device defined bythe combination of the right controller device and the left controllerdevice. Alternatively, a single virtual device may be provided bysimultaneous signals from two or more inputs on a single device, e.g.,simultaneous presses of pushbuttons on a single unified shifter device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for controlling the operation-enactingdevices. Once the roster 310 is established and the default set ofassignments 312 is determined according to the roster 310, in act 602,each operation-enacting device 304 can receive, via the wireless network308, the signals 302 b from the controller devices 302. In act 604, eachoperation-enacting device 304 can identify the one or more signals 302 bfrom an assigned controller device 302 or from an assigned combinationof controller devices. In act 606, each operation-enacting device enactsthe operation in response to the one or more signals 302 b from theassigned controller device 302 or assigned combination of controllerdevices 302.

Although the default set of assignments 312 may provide an effectiveapproach for determining how the operation-enacting devices 304 shouldrespond to the signals 302 b from the controller devices 302, the usermay prefer to use a modified set of assignments 312′. For instance, themodified set of assignments 312′ may provide that with the exampleroster 310 above: (i) the rear derailleur shift the chain to thesprocket on the left in response to signals from the right controllerdevice that do not exceed a threshold amount of time (without signalsfrom the left controller device); (ii) the rear derailleur shift thechain to the sprocket on the right in response to signals from the rightcontroller device that meet or exceed the threshold amount of time(without signals from the left controller device); and (iii) the frontderailleur shift the chain to an alternate chainring in response tosignals from the left controller device.

In some cases, the user may provide a modified set of assignments 312′where an operation-enacting device 304 does not respond to signals 302 bfrom any controller device 302. For instance, with the example roster310 above, the modified set of assignments 312′ may alternativelyprovide that: (i) the rear derailleur shifts the chain to a sprocket onthe left in response to signals from the left controller device (with nosignals from the right controller device); (ii) the rear derailleurshifts the chain to a sprocket on the right in response to signals fromthe right controller device (with no signals from the left controllerdevice); and (iii) the front derailleur remains idle regardless of whatsignals are transmitted by the left controller device and/or the rightcontroller device. In general, not every operation by anoperation-enacting device 304 must be assigned to an input received by acontroller device 302.

Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure allow the assignmentsbetween the controller devices 302 and the operation-enacting devices304 to be modified to reconfigure the system 300. As shown further inFIG. 3, the network coordinator device 306 may include a second wiredand/or wireless communication interface 306 b configured to receive themodified set of assignments 312′, where the modified set of assignments312′ causes at least one operation enacted by a operation-enactingdevice 304 to occur in response to the signals 302 b from a differentcontroller device 302. The second communication interface 306 b mayemploy a different protocol than the first communication interface 306a, particularly if the first communication interface 306 a employs aproprietary protocol.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of modifying the default or current set ofassignments. In act 702, the network coordinator device 306 receives amodified set of assignments 312′. In act 704, the network coordinatordevice 306 is configured to transmit, via the wireless network 308, themodified set of assignments 312′ to the operation-enacting devices 304.Correspondingly, in act 706, the operation-enacting devices 304 areconfigured to replace the default or current set of assignments 312 withthe modified set of assignments 312′. In act 708, the operation-enactingdevices 304 are configured to determine how the operation-enactingdevices 304 enact operations in response to the signals 302 b accordingto the modified set of assignments 312′. If desired, the user can modifythe set of assignments again in a similar manner.

According to some embodiments, the second communication interface 306 bis configured to wirelessly couple the network coordinator device 306 toan external computing device 314, such as a smart phone, computingtablet, laptop, personal computer, or the like. The external computingdevice 314 may include an application 316, such as a mobile applicationor other computer software. The application 316 is configured to receivethe modified set of assignments 312′ from a user and to transmit themodified set of assignments 312′ to the network coordinator device 306.

FIGS. 4A-C illustrate example scenarios 400 a-c that further demonstratehow a modified set of assignments may be implemented in the system 300.The controller devices 302 paired to the wireless network 308 include afirst controller device 402 and a second controller device 403. Thefirst controller device 402 includes a first input element 402 aconfigured to receive a first input from the user, where the first inputmodifies a state of the first input element 402 a. The second controllerdevice 403 includes a second input element 403 a configured to receive asecond input from the user, where the second input modifies a state ofthe second input element 403 a. For instance, the first input element402 a may be a right shift lever and the second input element 403 a maybe a left shift lever. The user can engage either shift lever so thatthe state of the shift lever can be modified to any of the following:(i) an active state when engaged by the user for less than a thresholdamount of time, (ii) an inactive state when not engaged by the user, or(iii) an update state when continuously engaged by the user for at leastthe threshold amount of time. The signals 302 b from the controllerdevices 302 include a first signal 402 b from the first controllerdevice 402 and a second signal 403 b from the second controller device403, where the first signal 402 b indicates the modified state of thefirst input element 402 a and the second signal 403 b indicates themodified state of the second input element 403 a. The signals 302 b froma particular controller device 302 may include a device typeidentification for the particular controller device 302, an inputidentifier for the input element 302 a on the particular controllerdevice 302 (in case there is more than one input element 302 a), andinformation on the modified state for the input element 302 a.

The operation-enacting devices 304 include a first operation-enactingdevice 404 and a second operation-enacting device 405. For instance, thefirst operation-enacting device 404 may be a front suspension system andthe second operation-enacting device 405 may be a rear suspensionsystem. According to a first set of assignments 412 shown in FIG. 4A,the first operation-enacting device 404 is configured to (i) identifythe first signal 402 b among the signals 302 b received from thecontroller devices 302, (ii) identify the modified state of the firstinput element 402 a, and (iii) enact a first operation on the bicycle inresponse to the modified state of the first input element 402 a.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the network coordinator device 306 is configured to(i) receive a second set of assignments 412′, and (ii) transmit thesecond set of assignments 412′ to the first operation-enacting device404 via the wireless network 308. The first operation-enacting device404 is configured to receive the second signal 403 b from the secondcontroller device 403 via the wireless network 308. Responsive toreceiving the second set of assignments 412′, the firstoperation-enacting device 404 is modified to: (i) identify the modifiedstate of the second input element 403 a, (ii) enact the first operationon the bicycle in response to the modified state of the second inputelement 403 a, and (iii) remain idle in response to the first signalfrom the first controller device 402.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the network coordinator device is configured to (i)receive a third set of assignments 412″, and (ii) transmit the third setof assignments 412″ to the operation-enacting devices 304 via thewireless network 308. The second operation-enacting device 405 isconfigured to receive the first signal 402 b from the first controllerdevice 402 via the wireless network 308. Responsive to receiving thethird set of assignments 412″, (i) the second operation-enacting device405 is configured to identify the modified state of the first inputelement 402 a and to enact a second operation on the bicycle in responseto the modified state of the first input element 402 a, and (ii) thefirst operation-enacting device 404 is modified to remain idle inresponse to the first signal from the first controller device.

Accordingly, the embodiments described above provide a reconfigurablecontrol system for the components of the bicycle. Despite this desirablefeature, the embodiments can secure the control system against suchaccess by unknown devices. In particular, the embodiments initiate apairing session that allows the user to select controller devices andoperation-enacting devices for the wireless network. Once the pairingsession is complete, the roster of devices paired to the network isfixed and unchangeable, even though the assignments between thecontroller devices and the operation-enacting devices already on thenetwork can still be changed by the user. As such, unknown devicescannot join the wireless network and interfere with the control system.Additionally, the embodiments do not allow duplicate device types to bepaired to the wireless network, so that an unknown device cannot imitateanother device that has been selected to be paired by user. Further, theembodiments only permit each operation enacted by an operation-enactingdevice to occur in response to the signals from a single assignedcontroller device or a single assigned combination of controller devicesthereby reducing the likelihood of an unwanted response by anoperation-enacting device to a signal from an unknown device. Moreover,the embodiments may employ a proprietary network protocol to enhancesecurity by limiting access to the wireless network to devices that canoperate under the protocol.

Aspects of the embodiments engage in computer processing, for instance,to receive and transmit wireless signals and to determine how to respondto such signals. For example, the network coordinator device 306 mayinclude one or more processors 306 d configured to execute programinstructions stored on computer-readable media 306 e, which whenexecuted cause the one or more processors 306 d to: (i) establish, viathe first communication interface 306 c, a pairing session that allowsthe controller devices 302 and the operation-enacting devices 304 to bepaired to a wireless network 308, and (ii) transmit to theoperation-enacting devices 304, via the first communication interface306 c, a roster 310 identifying the controller devices 302 and theoperation-enacting devices 304 paired to the wireless network 308.

For another example, an operation-enacting device 304 may include one ormore processors 304 c configured to execute program instructions storedon computer-readable media 304 d, the program instructions causing theone or more processors 306 d to process the default set of assignments312 based on the roster 310, where the default set of assignments 312indicates which of the controller devices 302 is selected to cause theoperation-enacting device 304 to respond by modifying the operativestate of the bicycle. Additionally, the one or more processors 304 c ofthe operation-enacting devices 304 receives, via the communicationinterface 304 a, a modified set of assignments 312′ from the networkcoordinator device 306, where the modified set of assignments 312′causes the operation-enacting device 304 to modify the operative stateof the bicycle in response to the signals 302 b from a different one ofthe controller devices, and the program instructions cause the one ormore processors 304 c to replace the default or current set ofassignments 312 with the modified set of assignments 312′.

The one or more processors 302 e, 304 c, 306 d employed by theembodiments may include a general processor, digital signal processor,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmablegate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digital circuit, combinationsthereof, or other now known or later developed processor. The processormay be a single device or combinations of devices, such as throughshared or parallel processing.

Aspects of the embodiments may also employ computer memory. Such memorymay be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory mayinclude one or more of a read only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), a flash memory, an electronic erasable program read only memory(EEPROM), or other type of memory. The memory may be removable from thecorresponding device, such as a secure digital (SD) memory card.Computer memory includes any one or more of a computer-readable mediumand other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructionsmay be stored. In general, a computer-readable medium includes anymedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set ofinstructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computersystem to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosedherein.

To power wireless communications and computer processing, embodimentsemploy power supplies, which may be stored internal to the operatingdevice, or stored external to the operating device. The power supply mayinclude a combination of multiple batteries or other power providingdevices. Specially fitted or configured battery types, or standardbattery types such as CR 2012, CR 2016, and/or CR 2032 may be used. Insome embodiments, the devices in a system are all individually powered,e.g. by a dedicated battery.

As described above, the embodiments employ communication interfaces.Such communication interfaces are configured to send data such ascontrol signals and/or commands to bicycle components. In particular,the communication interface provides for wireless communications in anynow known or later developed format. Although the present specificationdescribes components and functions that may be implemented in particularembodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, theinvention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example,standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission(e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, HTTPS) represent examples of thestate of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by fasteror more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same orsimilar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalentsthereof.

It is understood that the illustration or other representation ofdevices, such as the network coordinator devices, the controllerdevices, and the operation-enacting devices, include (even if notexpressly labeled) any combination of processor(s), memory device(s)(e.g., computer-readable media storing program instructions forexecution by processor(s)), communication interface(s), and power supplynecessary to achieve the disclosed features.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particularembodiments of the invention. Certain features that are described inthis specification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been described as being performed by a particular entity, the actsand/or functions can be performed by any entity, such as those entitiesdescribed in this disclosure. Further, although the acts and/orfunctions have been recited in a particular order, the acts and/orfunctions need not be performed in the order recited. However, in someinstances, it can be desired to perform the acts and/or functions in theorder recited. Further, each of the acts and/or functions can beperformed responsive to one or more of the other acts and/or functions.Also, not all of the acts and/or functions need to be performed toachieve one or more of the benefits provided by this disclosure, andtherefore not all of the acts and/or functions are required

In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may beadvantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components inthe embodiments described above should not be understood as requiringsuch separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that anydescribed program components and systems can generally be integratedtogether in a single software product or packaged into multiple softwareproducts.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded asillustrative rather than limiting and that it is understood that thefollowing claims including all equivalents are intended to define thescope of the invention. The claims should not be read as limited to thedescribed order or elements unless stated to that effect. Therefore, allembodiments that come within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims and equivalents thereto are claimed as the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for a bicycle, comprising: a pluralityof controller devices, wherein each controller device includes at leastone respective input element configured to receive input from a user,and transmits a signal indicating input received by the at least onerespective input element of the controller device; a plurality ofoperation-enacting devices, wherein each operation-enacting device isconfigured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle inresponse to receiving the signal transmitted from the controller device;and a network coordinator device configured to (i) establish a pairingsession to pair the network coordinator device, the controller devices,and the operation-enacting devices to a wireless network that enablescommunication between the network coordinator device, the controllerdevices and the operation-enacting devices, and (ii) reset thecontroller devices and operation-enacting device before pairing thecontroller devices and operation-enacting devices to the wirelessnetwork.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network coordinatordevice is configured to transmit to the operation-enacting devices, viathe wireless network, a roster identifying the controller devices andthe operation-enacting devices paired to the wireless network.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the operation-enacting devices are configuredto determine, based on the roster received from the network coordinatordevice, how to enact the operations responsive to the signals receivedfrom the controller devices.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein thenetwork coordinator device is configured to not add additionalcontroller devices or additional operation-enacting devices to theroster after the pairing session has ended.
 5. The system of claim 2,wherein the network coordinator device is configured to not change theroster when a paired controller device or a paired operation-enactingdevice is paired to another wireless network.
 6. The system of claim 2,wherein the network coordinator device is configured to (i) establish anew pairing session to reset the roster and enable communicationsbetween the network coordinator and a different set of controllerdevices and operation-enacting devices via a new wireless network, and(ii) transmit to the operation-enacting devices, via the new wirelessnetwork, a new roster identifying the different set of controllerdevices and operation-enacting devices paired to the new wirelessnetwork.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of theoperation-enacting devices comprises at least one movable componentincluding at least one of: (i) a front derailleur configured to modify aposition of a bicycle chain relative to a set of front gears, (ii) arear derailleur configured to modify a position of the bicycle chainrelative to a set of rear gears, or (iii) a seat post assemblyconfigured to modify a position of a seat relative to a frame of thebicycle.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the network coordinator is arear derailleur.
 10. A network coordinator device for a bicycle,comprising: a first communication interface configured to communicatewirelessly with a plurality of controller devices and a plurality ofoperation-enacting devices, each controller device including at leastone respective input element configured to receive input from a user andtransmit a signal indicating input received by the at least onerespective input element, and each operation-enacting device beingconfigured to enact at least one respective operation on the bicycle inresponse to receiving the signal transmitted from the controller device;and one or more processors configured to execute program instructionsstored on computer-readable media, which when executed cause the one ormore processors to: establish, via the first communication interface, apairing session that allows the controller devices and theoperation-enacting devices to be paired to a wireless network, andreset, via the first communication interface, the controller devices andoperation-enacting device before pairing the controller devices andoperation-enacting devices to the wireless network.
 11. The networkcoordinator device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processes areconfigured to transmit to the operation-enacting devices, via the firstcommunication interface, a roster identifying the controller devices andthe operation-enacting devices paired to the wireless network, whereinthe wireless network allows the controller devices to transmit, to theoperation-enacting devices, the signals indicating input received by theinput elements of the controller devices and causing theoperation-enacting devices to enact the operations based on the roster.12. The network coordinator device of claim 11, wherein the one or moreprocesses are configured to (i) establish a new pairing session to resetthe roster and enable communications between the network coordinator anda different set of controller devices and operation-enacting devices viaa new wireless network, and (ii) transmit to the operation-enactingdevices, via the new wireless network, a new roster identifying thedifferent set of controller devices and operation-enacting devicespaired to the new wireless network.
 13. The network coordinator deviceof claim 11, wherein the one or more processes are configured to not addadditional controller devices or additional operation-enacting devicesto the roster after the pairing session has ended.
 14. The networkcoordinator device of claim 11, wherein the one or more processes areconfigured to not change the roster when a paired controller device or apaired operation-enacting device is paired to another wireless network.15. The network coordinator device of claim 10, wherein each of theoperation-enacting devices comprises at least one movable componentincluding at least one of: (i) a front derailleur configured to modify aposition of a bicycle chain relative to a set of front gears, (ii) arear derailleur configured to modify a position of the bicycle chainrelative to a set of rear gears, or (iii) a seat post assemblyconfigured to modify a position of a seat relative to a frame of thebicycle.
 16. The network coordinator device of claim 10, wherein thenetwork coordinator device is a rear derailleur.